smallfrowne

https://youtu.be/TUHgGK-tImY?si=FrO9v-uq4MCkhi7g

I've got a couple of rok straps, very nice. I don't like the idea of open hooks, mine are the ones with loops in the end. I also use a bit of rope tied in a Ray Mears number #3 knot. I suppose people have used bungees since forever so whatever but anything heavy I'd like a rock strap on it or a taught bit of rope, and being a climber surely you are set on that front. Just have a go ahead of time so you can get the faffing out of the way if aren't sure how it might all fit. You can use bits of steel or ally bought from DIY shops to fashion outriggers to keep soft bags off of exhausts if needs be. Otherwise panniers and luggage items tend to be quite bike specific and expensive. But then there's also used options on Facebook groups and eBay. I've got alpkit dry bags which aren't exactly thick and super heavy duty, but they have worked very well and haven't exactly worn through anywhere. Suppose I only tour with them about once a year though

I'm having a think about that this week. I've just got some Shure SE215 earphones to try. They come with foam and silicone bud tips. They claim a decent "up to" 37db snr attenuation, guessing with the foam tips, where the classic yellow and pink Howard Leights do 35db . The wires are replaceable - they clip to the earbud - and you can get basically Bluetooth wires for them. They are used by musicians as in ear monitors. Initial trial is that they don't seem to isolate as well as plain classic foam earplugs, despite the claim, but better than the more standard Sony earphones I've got. For the helmet fit they seem better than other earphones I've got too. They poke out of the ear canal at an angle where the standard ones are straight. They come out at an angle and seem to hold flat to the ear opening. Anyway they are untested in anger as I only kept the helmet on for a few minutes. The wires go up and over the ear which made is fairly faff free getting the helmet on without a dislodgement. I'll have to actually go out on the bike for a few hours to see for sure (Shure?). And a proper test would be a day's riding, at which point the standard Sony ones are just painful, but I find even foam plugs give me grief at that point, albeit not on the same level. Brief pain is better than more ringing though. They are expensive but you can get them second hand (school girl voice: errrrrrr) or even new but opened packet (I'm very trusting) on eBay for half price. So err yeah, going to try these out when I get a chance. Or I could wear my helmet all day during work just for research purposes, but how would I drink the tea?

Do they do travel size ones?

Yeah, I'd add a decent parasol to the list. It was bloody hot on that stretch of road with no shade. In fact quite a lot of bikes stopped including a looaaaad of lovely italians. Love them. I think when they saw what was occurring up close the leader patted me on the head and wished me luck and off they all went but basically cheering me on. The French bloke wasn't much help, well he was, he pointed us to the best chance of a garage that was actually open and would have some bits to do the job, so I'm forever grateful. But really he was just very scared that the fix I was attempting to make - bridge the melted main fuse with a split pin - was going to result in a fireball. I just wanted out of the sun, even if it meant a fiery death off the side of whatever mountain that was. Also, it's amazing what you can find on the side of the road when you really need something - something pokey to clean your carb? Stick. Something stringy to secure a bit of plastic? Baler twine. And the classic, hammer? Rock.

And some of them do a like a fight as well. But that's just rotherham for you.

Get the 400 and you will be the coolest amongst your peers. And you can fall asleep knowing that you have the pinnacle design for highway illumination on a motorcycle platform, that of faired twin round(ish) headlights. Can't be beat. I'm not talking about how well the road is lit up, the bike just looks coooooool

On the topic of battery chargers, I use a one that was meant for RC stuff. It can do umpteen different battery types, lead and various forms of lithium stuff, 6v, 12v, any volt really. I can't remember what I paid for it, probably too much, and I don't have any RC stuff no more, but at least I can use it on all the different batteries the bikes have, I've even got lithium in the fleet now! It's been very handy. Just have to clip it on whenever I remember over winter, and even summer these days. On the topic of sunshine, I have finally checked the valve clearances on the SV and since they were all good, meaning I don't have to order anything for it and wait, I have booked a track day for a week a Tuesday. Just have to put it all back together, change the fluids, clean up the previous owners higgly piggly wiring and assorted bodge jobs and off to Cadwell we go.

Errr it's a bit of a fugly project really that I got a couple of years ago. It's on the list though, exhaust has been welded and I've got a set of samco hoses for it. I'd be too ashamed to show you the pictures. It's done 50k and was used for commuting into London, so a right nail really.

Hohooo and look at that the weather is going in to double digits again. Let's gooooo

I think I'll put all the savings made straight into champagne right away

Well I thought I would be very adult about renewing my insurance for the KTM and declaring everything as you should. I have never had any no claims to use for this policy, previously only having old shit bikes where I don't accrue them on a classic policy so when I bought the thing last year it was £410 ish. Renewal was £290 so that was a bit nicer. Anyway, lets see if I can get that cheaper and do the usual renewal dance, only now it's not deliciously standard but pointlessly modified. Now they no longer want to deal with me but comparison ahoy at least gets me some quotes. Seems exhaust changes are basically no bother, but upgrade the suspenders and all of a sudden I'm a hooligan - back up to £450. So that's a shame. In the end I called up my classic insurance job and they will do you a policy including modern conveyances as long as you have some old shit stuff too. And it turns out they assume you aren't necessarily a hooligan considering you have a garage full of crap. It's cheaper for the lot with them, declared mods to a classic and this KTM, with unlimited miles, legal, salvage retention, and European breakdown. It's still not cheap at £500 but that now includes 3 bikes on a classic for 2000 miles which was £200. I don't know where I'm going with this but I'm happy I suppose, and fully legal! Wahooo! Look at me, mam!

"Hello, extraction required. From Doncaster." "Ok. On my way (after preparing the mighty Merc)." Clutch cable snapped in some godforsaken intercity street and the trailer is in a thousand pieces having some deserving r&r. Luckily I have a collection of 5+ clutch cables. Turns out none are good enough though. Slinky glide emergency cable kit to the rescue. Fair bit of cutting, faffing, filing and we're away with an Amazon prime order on for another cable. Shame they don't do rescue service, I'm down a few hours but up a beer.

I haven't read anything in this thread. Buy a z900 or something similar.

This week I have mostly been spending money. I've had the KTM's ECU flashed back to standard so the fella at Junction 33 can remap it. Dealer charged half hour labour, £45. I declined them bleeding my brakes, they wanted £120. I only wanted them to cycle the ABS pump, I've already changed the fluid. They declined to cycle it and I declined their offer, so now I'll have to find another way to do it. On the subject of exhausts, I've changed it. I never intended to change it. But I have. I quite like the original Duke exhaust, it's a rare sight as an OEM piece of equipment in that it isn't ugly as hell. Actually looks quite nice and suits the bike very well. The sound is ok, well, low revs it is, high not so much. Anyway, my dad changed his on the speed twin so I'm to keep up. Imported a nice Arrow Italian job, off a bloke with Ferrari's all over his insta, so I feel my money will be in safe hands anyway. I've also fitted a decat just because. I haven't gone completely mad with it though, too many horror stories of regret after fitting cheap decats which in effect shorten the exhaust as well as removing the primary sound deadener. The Arrow decat retains some length and is quite U-bendy like the original cat. Plus It has a bit of a resonator half way, so not just straight pipe. It seems quite un-mental. Waiting for the ECU to come back to me now, then we'll see if it was - only slightly, not that bad really, or at least I didn't mind it - snatchy due to the eurosausage regulations. But, I'm actually more excited to fit some Jiffy-tite fuel hose fittings and pricy Mocal fuel line to the SV. + Mog, she's cute.